I. ˈstich noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English stiche, from Old English stice stab, puncture, stitch in the side; akin to Old High German stih sting, pricking, Gothic stiks moment, Old High German stehhan to prick — more at stick
1. : a local sharp and sudden pain in the side (as in pleurodynia)
2. : a single complete in-and-out movement of a threaded needle in sewing, embroidering, or suturing
3.
a.
(1) : a portion of thread left in the material after making one in-and-out movement with a threaded needle in hand sewing
(2) : one of the separate lengths of thread, wire, or other material used to hold skin or flesh (as the edges of a wound or incision) during healing
(3) : the interlocked section of the threads from needle and shuttle resulting from a single complete motion of the needle through the fabric in machine sewing
b. : the interlacing thread that joins the face and back of a double fabric in weaving
c. : a staple formed by a wire-stitching machine from a coil of wire (as for fastening pamphlets, cartons, novelties)
a wire stitcher that applies stitches as fast as 300 a minute
4. dialect chiefly Britain : a narrow ridge of arable land : a ridge between furrows
5. : a least part : least bit
a boat … with every stitch of canvas set — Benjamin Disraeli
refused to do a stitch of work
specifically : the least bit of clothing
left without a dry stitch on his back
6. : a single loop of thread or yarn around a knitting needle, crochet hook, or other implement forming one of a series of links in knitted, crocheted, netted, or lace fabric
drop a stitch
7.
a. : a stitch or series of stitches formed in a particular manner often for a particular purpose (as basting, buttonholing) ; also : a decorative pattern formed by a stitch (as a French knot) or series of stitches (as satin stitch) worked with a needle or hook through or on cloth or over canvas
b. : a method of fastening leaves (as of pamphlets) with thread or cord drawn by hand or machine through previously pierced holes or with wire staples — usually used with a qualifier; see double stitch , saddle stitch , side stitch
Synonyms: see pain
•
- in stitches
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English stichen, from stiche, n.
transitive verb
1. obsolete : pierce , stab
2.
a.
(1) : to fasten, join, or close with or as if with stitches
stitched his team emblem onto his uniform
stitch the ends of the two strips together
many literary travelers have … stitched their impressions into skillful embroideries — Edward Sapir
— often used with up
stitch up the rip
(2) : to fasten together (signatures) by passing thread or wire through all the signatures at once — distinguished from sew
(3) : to unite by means of staples
stitch the flaps of a fiber box
b. : to make, mend, or decorate with or as if with stitches : sew
stitch a seam
: embroider
stitch a sampler
— often used with up
stitch up torn trousers
c. : to sew in a hasty manner — usually used with up
stitch up a dress to wear this evening
d. : to sew by first puncturing (as shoe leather) with an awl or needle by hand or by machine
3. dialect : to form (arable land) into ridges
4. : to form the outline of (a design) on metal by prick-punching through a design on paper fixed to the metal
5. : to strike or pierce at intervals in the manner of stitching
machine guns stitched the sides of buildings — Springfield (Massachusetts) Union
intransitive verb
1. : to do needlework : sew
2. : to join something with wire stitches
3. : to move in and out in a stitchlike manner
III. noun
( -es )
Etymology: perhaps from Middle English sticche piece, from Old English stycce — more at stock
dialect England : a harvesting shock of about 12 sheaves
IV. noun
Etymology: perhaps from Middle English sticche piece
1. dialect England : distance 2c
2. dialect : a period of time